If you are unsure of your school attendance area, call the district's Public Information Office at (262) 246-1973 ext. 1100.

Kindergarten — The district offers three kindergarten programs.

4-year-old half day: To be eligible for the optional 4-year-old kindergarten program a child must be four years old by Sept. 1. The 4-year-old kindergarten program runs a half day — an 8:45 - 11:15 a.m. morning session and 12:45 - 3:15 p.m. afternoon session. Willow Springs Learning Center will have a brief K-4 orientation Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. to familiarize children with their bus route. School buses will pick up kindergartners at their home school and travel to Willow Springs. The school is mailing letters with specific times to K-4 parents.

5-year-old half day: To be eligible for the 5-year-old kindergarten program a child must be five years old by Sept. 1. The morning session is 8:35 - 11:25 a.m. and the afternoon session is 12:35 - 3:35 p.m.

5-year-old full day: The optional full-day kindergarten program is for students who turn five years old by Sept. 1. Full-day kindergartners will follow the same schedule as elementary grade school students.

Transportation — The bus company sends yellow postcards notifying bus riders of their routes. Postcards will be mailed the week of Aug. 25.

Breaks and last school day — Students will not have classes during Teachers' Convention Oct. 30-31, Thanksgiving Break Nov. 26-28, Winter Break Dec. 24-Jan. 2, Staff In-service Jan. 22-23 and Feb. 27, Spring Break April 9-16 and Memorial Day May 31. Their last day of school is June 9.

School hours — Students in grades 1-5 and full-day kindergarten begin school at 8:35 a.m. and end at 3:25 p.m.; Templeton hours are 7:25 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.; and the high school runs from 7:20 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.

Immunization — Wisconsin law requires that parents provide updated records on their children's immunizations including DTP, MMR and polio. The Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine is required for all students prekindergarten through 12th grades. The chicken pox vaccine is required for prekindergarten, kindergarten, first and second grade students.

School lunch program — The Hamilton food service staff is committed to producing quality meals that are nutritious and appealing to children. Lunches consist of five food items — meat, bread, two or more servings of fruit or vegetables, and milk. To reduce waste, children are offered an entire lunch but may refuse one or two items. The price for lunch remains the same whether a child takes the entire lunch or refuses an item.

Lunch menus will be listed in school newsletters, local newspapers, on the district web site and district cable television channel. Parents are asked to go over the lunch menu with their children to help them decide what to eat each day. Children should be encouraged to take at least a portion of an unfamiliar or unpopular food item.

Lunch prices for 2003-04 are: $1.60 for elementary students; $1.85 - middle school and high school students; $2.50 - adults; and 25 cents for milk.

Fees —

The following are fees for the 2003-04 school year:
Pre-kindergarten and half-day kindergarten — $19*;
Elementary grades, full-day kindergarten and ungraded — $30*;
Middle school — $40*;
High school — $55*;
High school padlock and ID for new students — $5.50*
(*Maximum of $150 per family for these student fees.)
Drivers' education behind-the-wheel training and theory-simulation — $92.50 each;
Templeton sports — $20 per sport ($60 family maximum);
Hamilton sports — $30 per sport ($90 maximum);
Templeton extra- and co-curriculars — $10 and $20;
Hamilton extra- and co-curriculars — $15 and $30;
Retake ID — $3.00;
Technology Fee — $20 per student ($40 family maximum); and
Parking — $80.

Cable television announcements — Residents who receive Time Warner Cable service in Sussex and Lisbon may tune into channel 13 for up-to-date information. School lunch menus, reminders about district events and local videos are broadcast.

District web site — The district web site is at www.hamilton.k12.wi.us. The site will be updated regularly with school supply lists, newsletters, calendar, lunch menus and current information.

For more information about the Hamilton School District, contact the individual schools or the district's Public Information Office at 246-1973 ext. 1100.